Is the city of Madrid ready for electric cars?

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Madrid is one of the Spanish cities that activates anti-pollution protocols when pollution levels exceed certain thresholds. The City Council of Madrid considers pollution to be a serious public health issue as it is a contributing factor to diseases. The city monitors pollution levels, and if two stations exceed NO2 levels for a set period, the scenarios in the protocol are activated, and they must be communicated 24 hours in advance so that citizens can comply with the traffic restrictions.

What scenarios does the city of Madrid apply when activating the anti-pollution protocol?

Scenario 1

  • Measures: Speed limit of 70 km/h on the M30 and access roads.
  • Exceptions: None

Scenario 2.

  • Measures: Parking in SER spaces is prohibited for non-resident vehicles.
  • Exceptions:
  • Residents in their neighborhood.
    • Certified small self-employed individuals in the S.E.R.
    • People with reduced mobility.
    • “Zero emissions” vehicles.

Scenario 3.

  • Measures: Vehicles with even-numbered plates are allowed to circulate on even days, and odd-numbered plates on odd days within the M30.
  • Exceptions:
    • Motorcycles, tricycles, mopeds, and bicycles.
    • Public transport,
    • Vehicles with 3 or more passengers,
    • Clean vehicles.

Scenario 4.

  • Measures: 50% of circulation is limited within the M30 and on the M30.
  • Exceptions:
    • Taxis with passengers, eco taxis,
    • Motorcycles, tricycles, mopeds, and bicycles.
    • Public transport,
    • Vehicles with 3 or more passengers,
    • Clean vehicles.

Given these traffic restrictions, many Madrileños are considering purchasing an electric vehicle for their commutes. In Madrid, the number of electric vehicle users is increasing; the use of electric cars in Madrid is varied, ranging from families to businesses, thus catering to a wide and diverse audience.

Why have different audiences considered buying an electric car?

Different users consider the type of use they will make of the electric vehicle and whether the battery range would meet their daily needs. In cities like Madrid, most residents’ trips are made within the city itself, with urban trips in Madrid accounting for 77% of the total. Private trips are usually commutes to work or shopping, and these trips typically do not exceed an average of 36 minutes in Spain. Given this data, we can consider that an electric vehicle would meet our commuting needs if we live in a large city.

Is it worth switching to an electric vehicle if we live in Madrid?

To answer this question, we must consider not only the acquisition cost of the vehicle but also other costs such as registration and circulation taxes, fuel consumption, maintenance, parking costs on public roads, etc.

The city of Madrid allows electric vehicle drivers, both electric cars and electric vans, to circulate in the city center even when the anti-pollution protocol is activated, and also allows free parking in SER zones. These advantages make the idea of acquiring an electric vehicle increasingly attractive for both family trips and work-related commutes.

Can electric vehicles park in the S.E.R area?

Yes. Electric vehicles are exempt from the limitations of the Regulated Parking Service and can park in the S.E.R area with the Zero Emissions Authorization, without needing to obtain a parking ticket.

Can electric vehicles use the bus lane?

No, public transport is prioritized for mobility in the City of Madrid, and while electric vehicles have significant advantages over combustion vehicles, they do not have them over collective transport.

Can electric vehicles access Residential Priority Areas (APR)?

As of August 1, 2015, new access and operational criteria will be applied in the Residential Priority Areas of Madrid (APR), approved by Decree No. 22 of January 28, 2015, by the Delegate of the Government Area of Environment and Mobility of the City Council of Madrid.

This new regulation allows access without authorization to these areas for vehicles that are not internal combustion (electric, fuel cell, or zero direct emissions), plug-in hybrid vehicles, and extended-range electric vehicles, provided that they have obtained the corresponding SER parking authorization granted by the City Council of Madrid upon request.

Can a charging point be installed in a parking space in Madrid?

With the modification of the Horizontal Property Law, the owner of a parking space in a community of neighbors must notify the community of the installation of a charging point, although they do not need its approval in a meeting. To ensure the safety conditions of the installation, they should resort to specialized companies.

How many public charging points does the city of Madrid have?

Madrid only has 24 public charging points for electric cars. In the Community of Madrid, there are 324 charging points for electric cars, of which only 24 are public. According to the General Directorate of Traffic, there are 5,313 registered vehicles of this type in the region, which means one charging point for every 16 cars and one public point for every 221. The City Council of Madrid has committed to installing 15 more points by 2020.

Given this data, industry professionals advocate for the need to increase charging points for electric cars in the city of Madrid. In fact, the lack of these charging points is often a barrier to purchasing an electric vehicle.

Users are forced to install charging points in their homes or in community garages.